Clipless Curling Irons

In this article we are going to be talking about a somewhat new product called a clipless curling iron. These are also known as curling wands or conical wands. These types of models are rapidly gaining popularity, and today we will be discussing some of the advantages of these units, and then looking at some of the better models after that. If you only want to take a look at the recommended models then you can skip onto that section over here. Otherwise keep reading to find out what kind of features you should consider before making a purchase.

Why should you buy one of these?

First off lets talk about why these curlers are so popular right now. Those of you who have used traditional spring or clamp curlers may know about “denting” or “creasing”. This is one shortcoming of traditional curlers, as when you clamp your hair down in the spring it can leave little dents in your hair which can ruin the entire look you are going for. The main advantage of a wand curling iron is that you never have this issue. With this type of wand you curl the hair around the iron with your fingers, and thus never have the denting issue. This may seem like it is a bit tricky to do at first, but everyone gets the hang of it within a few short minutes of practice. Certain units come with a heat resistant glove, which we recommend you use until you are comfortable with the motion of curling using your fingers.
Another advantage to doing it this way is that you can choose exactly how much hair you want to curl in one go which saves you time. You can do multiple curls at the same time when you get the hang of doing it. Essentially you can wrap your hair around the curling bar three or four times which will allow you to style your hair in a hurry. You may have noticed that some wands become smaller towards the end of the barrel, and the reason for this is that it offers you a way to make a variety of styles. Many people like to make the big curls at the top, and then leave smaller curls at the bottom which is a more natural look. A wand allows you to achieve this style with ease unlike a spring curling iron. It also allows you to start at the very top of your head and work your way down, which is somewhat difficult to do with the older style curlers. These are known as conical or tapered curling irons. Others come with a set barrel width like the one in the picture on the left. These allow you to create curls that are the same size.

If you have very straight hair then you may also want to look at getting some hair spray to help keep the curls in place. Some people recommend spraying after doing each curl, then spraying your entire head afterwards. However it is all up to you, and how your hair reacts.
A clipless curling iron tends to make better curls, so you may not even need any hair spray once you are done. The only way to find out is to try it yourself and see if you need hair spray or not.

How do you pick out the ideal model?

When it comes to picking out the ideal model, there are a number of things you should consider before you choose a particular model. One of the first things you will need to think about is the cost of the unit. The good news is that some of the cheaper models cost more or less the same as your normal curling iron. For a basic no frills set you can probably pick one up for around $25, and if you are looking for a decent quality curling iron with a variety of different barrel sizes you will end up spending about $100 or so. If you only intend to curl your hair once in a while then a basic set should suit you fine. If you do it several times a week then you may want to look into a higher quality set that will last you a bit longer.

Another feature you should look at is the warranty that the curling iron comes with. Most budget units come with a standard 1 year warranty, so if you intend to use it quite often then look for a unit that has a longer warranty. Safety features are also worth looking into, and many models have a built in safety cut out timer if you don’t use the machine for a set amount of time. This is a must have feature if you are a bit forgetful! Other safety features often included is a heat resistant cord, which ensures that the cord doesn’t get damaged if it comes into contact with the barrel when the unit is switched on.

The other big thing to look at when choosing a curling wand is the temperature it can reach. Those of you with thicker hair will undoubtedly need a higher operating temperature to get your hair to curl nicely, so this is something to keep an eye out for. Most newer units can reach in the 400F+ temperature range which is hot enough to curl any form of hair!

Lastly, if you plan on experimenting with a range of styles, or you don’t know what size curls will work best for you, we would recommend that you invest in a set with different barrel sizes. A standard iron comes with a non removable barrel which is a set size, whereas some of the better models come with interchangeable barrels of varying sizes. This allows you to experiment with short curls, big waves, and any other style until you find what suits you.
Below we take a look at some of the current top rated models you can find. All of them have many user reviews, so we recommend you read them to get an idea of how good they are.

Recommended model – Cortex 4-in-1 Curling Iron

One particular standout model currently available is the Cortex 4-in-1, which is quite a versatile model. It has all the bells and whistles you will possibly need at a really good price. It comes with four different interchangeable heads and includes sizes of 1/2inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch & 2 inch. These are made out of ceramic tourmaline, and the barrels are quick and easy to swap out. This model has a lcd built into the handle, and it has operating temperatures of between 140-450F which is more than enough to suit any kind of hair thickness. This model has a 11″ heat resistant cord, and comes with a heat resistant glove. With a retail price of around $100, this model is quite a popular choice for many people. You can find out more about this model and take a look at some of the many user reviews over at the Amazon product page.

Recommended model – Herstyler 3p

Another model worth a look at is the Herstyler 3P Curling Set. Like the Cortex above, this model has a range of good reviews so it seems like a good choice. This model comes with three interchangeable barrels including the smaller tapered 9-18mm barrel, the medium tapered 18mm-25mm barrel, and the 25mm barrel. This model has a operating temperature of up to 400F, so should be fine for all hair types. The digital lcd on the handle lets you know what the temperature is, and you can adjust it in increments until you find the sweet spot for curling your hair. This model also has a heat resitant glove included, which makes it great for anyone new to curling wands.
Although this model retails for $119 on the Herstyler website, it is often on sale for a fraction of that. At the time of writing it was close to the $50 mark on Amazon, which makes it great value for money. It also has a 4.4 star user rating, so this one looks like a real winner. You can check out the current pricing and read some of the many user reviews on the Amazon page.